An Oregon high school football coach just got canned after a massive win. Marist Catholic High has officially parted ways with head coach Zach Loboy following a wild 63-0 victory over Cottage Grove High this past Friday, a game that somehow got called at halftime, according to Mark Puleo from The Athletic. Seriously, a coach out after a shutout? That’s not something you see every day.
The Blowout, the Kicks, and the Short Roster
What exactly happened to make a school make this call? Well, Marist Catholic was up 63-0 when the game ended at the half. That alone is a pretty lopsided score. But the real kicker, pun intended, is that Loboy’s team attempted *two* onside kicks before the first half even wrapped up. Think about that: you’re already crushing it, and you’re still trying to snag extra possessions. Add to this that Cottage Grove High was playing with a severely limited roster, only bringing 16 players to the field. You can see how that looks for the coaching staff. It’s a tough look, no doubt.
The School’s Stance and What It Means
Marist Catholic principal Bob Fraley didn’t waste any time, sending an email to football parents and guardians to break the news. “I am writing to inform you that Marist has made the decision to remove Zach Loboy from his position as Head Varsity Football Coach, effective immediately,” Fraley wrote, per KVAL. He made it clear that “a change in leadership was necessary to reflect our school’s mission and values” after Friday’s game. Athletic director Rick Gardner echoed that sentiment to Jarrid Denney of the Eugene Register-Guard, stating “What happened there is really not reflective of the school’s mission and how we want to treat our opponents.” He flat out said their athletic program “fell short” of their mission and values. This isn’t just about a score, it’s about how you play the game, especially against an opponent already struggling with numbers. Marist Catholic actually won the Oregon Class 4A state championship in 2024, and they’re sitting at a 3-3 record this year. You’ve got to wonder how this mid-season shake-up affects a program with that kind of recent success and a still-decent record.
So, Loboy is out. A 63-0 halftime lead and a couple of aggressive onside kicks ended his tenure. This isn’t just a tough loss for Cottage Grove, it’s a huge statement from Marist Catholic about sportsmanship and their core values. The fallout from this one is just beginning, and you can bet other high school coaches are paying attention to how they handle a big lead.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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